The Rosa genome provides new insights into the domestication of modern roses

TLDR

Roses are culturally and economically important ornamental plants and perfume sources. The study reports whole‑genome sequencing and assembly of roses and resequencing of key genotypes involved in domestication. A homozygous Rosa chinensis “Old Blush” genotype was produced and sequenced with single‑molecule real‑time technology and a meta‑assembly pipeline to yield a highly comprehensive rose genome. Diversity analyses revealed the mosaic origin of “La France”, identified Chinese‑ancestry segments with candidate genes for recurrent blooming, and reconstructed regulatory and secondary‑metabolism pathways linking scent and flower color, establishing a foundation for understanding rose traits and accelerating breeding.

Abstract

Roses have high cultural and economic importance as ornamental plants and in the perfume industry. We report the rose whole-genome sequencing and assembly and resequencing of major genotypes that contributed to rose domestication. We generated a homozygous genotype from a heterozygous diploid modern rose progenitor, Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush'. Using single-molecule real-time sequencing and a meta-assembly approach, we obtained one of the most comprehensive plant genomes to date. Diversity analyses highlighted the mosaic origin of 'La France', one of the first hybrids combining the growth vigor of European species and the recurrent blooming of Chinese species. Genomic segments of Chinese ancestry identified new candidate genes for recurrent blooming. Reconstructing regulatory and secondary metabolism pathways allowed us to propose a model of interconnected regulation of scent and flower color. This genome provides a foundation for understanding the mechanisms governing rose traits and should accelerate improvement in roses, Rosaceae and ornamentals. High-quality genome assembly of diploid Rosa chinensis and resequencing of major genotypes highlights the origin of modern rose cultivars and provides insights into color biosynthesis and scent pathways.